The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Please note * indicates that the photo used from the front. “I was at the battle of Lule However, I made the best of it, and is taken from the Sir George Hubert Wilkins Burgas on October 30 and 31, and was with started to get some breakfast. But soon I Papers, SPEC.PA.56.0006, Byrd Polar and the Turkish retreat to Chorlu on Sunday and was interrupted by the arrival of bullock Climate Research Center Archival Monday, November 17 and 18,” he writes wagons loaded with dead bodies, some Program, Ohio State University in one part of his letter. “Since then there naked, some half-clothed, and all jumbled has been no serious fighting, but I expect a up in heaps. 1911 big battle in a few days, and it is for that I They were thrown into trenches that had am waiting.” already been dug out, and were not 50 yards From the club from which he wrote the from where I had slept. I saw over 100 letter to the Turkish lines of defence is only corpses buried in less than two hours, but 25 to 30 miles, he points out. It was an easy that was only the start of the cholera. run by motor or on horseback. When I visited this village five days later Incidentally, he laments the fact that the streets, the ground around, and even the conditions are not good for taking biograph railway station were littered with dead and pictures. dying men. The conditions to which he refers are The official report of the deaths was plainly not so much technical as physical, 2,000 in one day. That is enough of these for he relates without embellishment the horrible sights, which were daily fact that he has been arrested on no fewer occurrences. than seven different occasions, and a lot of In bringing his letter to a conclusion Mr. Wilkins developed a fascination with cameras.. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins35_9_14]. his exposed films destroyed. Wilkins mentions that he is indebted for a Nevertheless, this pushing young man is good deal of the consideration he received able to say that he had got 900 feet of actual to Lord Stokes, Aziz Pasha (a Turkish battlefield films through to his firm in prince), and Admiral Sir Henry Woods London, and that many more hundreds of Pasha. Since the last English mail was feet of film were being dispatched. received in Adelaide Mr. Wilkins has left While war correspondents were herded in the scene of the war for London, where he quarters in which they were practically has had some novel experiences. prisoners young Wilkins was in the thick of Writing to his parents at Parkside under things. His narrative is almost bold in its date of Christmas, he relates his most recent modest directness. way of securing films by soaring up above Yet a great achievement is indicated in the clouds over London in a balloon. the pregnant sentence — “I have had Whilst in the air he wrote a letter to his shrapnel shells bursting on each side, and father, describing the sensation at each behind me, within 300 yards, but have not 1,000 ft. The letter reached his parents Taken During the Balkan War. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_1a]. been in front of rifle fire.” safely. The only comment he makes is — “But it (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Wednesday 12 is difficult to get satisfactory pictures.” February 1913, page 17). 1913 Difficult! — Under the artillery fire of the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 12 February 1913 Allies, and always in imminent danger of 371337 AT THE WAR. arrest by the Turks. “I have some pictures,” Australian Biograph Operator Beats he adds, “that have been sneaked, for the War. Turkish officers all have orders to prevent any pictures being taken, as the Turks are Correspondents under Shrapnel Fire. suffering defeat. Mr. G. H. Wilkins, a South Australian It would be useless to try to write you biograph photographer, who is a son of Mr. my experiences in a letter, but three Wilkins, an old colonist, residing at different firms in London have made offers Parkside, has succeeded in getting right to for my experiences as a biograph operator the front in the Balkan war and witnessing at the front in order to compile a book, and and photographing actual battlefield scenes. something may be done in that direction. An advertisement from the (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Last February Mr. Wilkins, who is 25 years Besides having been arrested by the Wednesday 12 February 1913, page 17). of age, left Australia for Europe, with the Turks, I have been held up twice by intention of going to the United States deserting soldiers, who were starving, and 23 August 1913 once by a couple of Greek bushrangers, afterwards. CANADIAN EXPEDITION. Shortly before he left Australia, he was a who were robbing the dead as well as the biograph operator at North Sydney. While living. There is to be yet another polar he was in Europe the Balkan war broke out, The latter experience was most trying, expedition in the near future. This one will and the great London film firm of Gaumont and after leaving them behind about half a be under the auspices of the Canadian secured his services to go to the front for mile I came across the dead body of an Government, which has voted a large sum them. officer who had been murdered and robbed, towards it, and its object is to be a twofold How well he has succeeded is indicated presumably by these men. one — first, to find out whether there is in a letter he has written to a friend (says “A weird experience occurred when I really an Arctic polar continent; and, the Sydney Sun). reached Hadem Roui village one night after secondly, to obtain scientific data. Writing recently, Mr. Wilkins said he had dark. I was prevented from entering by an Mr. Stefansson will be in charge, and he just returned from a very interesting, though officer, who said cholera was rife in the proposes to stay in the cold north till the trying, four and a half weeks with the village. autumn of 1916. No expedition is complete Turkish Army. “I have had a few narrow My horses were too tired to go further, so nowadays without the cinematograph man, escapes,” he added, “and have seen some I camped on the first clear patch of ground I and this one will be no exception to the indescribable and horrible sights of found. It was raining, but not very cold, and rule. wounded soldiers and cholera-stricken I could not see 300 yards ahead. After a This department has grown in camps.” fairly sleepless night, daylight broke, and importance, and the post of operator is one Evidently the biograph operator was not revealed to me the fact that I had camped in much sought after. The honour of filling it subject to the same disabilities as his the middle of a small field that was the has fallen to a young Australian in the cousin, the war correspondent, for Mr. burying ground for the dead cholera- person of Mr. G. H. Wilkins, who is a Wilkins is able to relate experiences right stricken soldiers. native of Adelaide. 1

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

2 December 1913 including Mr. Wilkins, had reached the shore safely. (Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA), Tuesday 2 December 1913, page 5). https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 05606478

1914

An advertisement from the (Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA), Tuesday 2 December 1913, page 5).

Photograph of Eskimo women taken during 1913-15 POLAR EXPEDITION. Expedition. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_3_76]. WRECK OF THE MARY SACHS. Mr. Wilkins is a young man, only 24 AN ADELAIDE MAN ABOARD. years of age, and he has crammed sufficient The wreck of the polar expedition vessel incident into the last few years of his life to Mary Sachs, the supply ship at the last another man all his existence. Stefansson Expedition, which was reported He was educated at the School of Mines in war cables yesterday, is of special and University in Adelaide, and completed interest to Adelaide residents, in that a the associate course of electrical former resident of this city, Mr. George An advertisement from the (Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, engineering. SA), Friday 16 January 1914, page 1). Wilkins, is one of the party. Coming to Sydney, he took up moving Mr. Wilkins, whose brother is a grocer in 16 January 1914 picture work in 1908, and was operating for Angas Street, and whose parents reside at (Part of larger article) a large firm. Oxenbold Street, Parkside, has had an Amongst the members of the Stefansson Later he became manager of the North adventurous career, and, like all Australians Scientific Expedition to the Arctic — who Sydney branch of the firm, and went who have travelled, appears to have made were recently believed to have been lost — thoroughly into the intricacies of his mark in the countries he has visited. is a brother of Mr. H. W. Wilkins, of cinematography. He is 26 years of age, and for some years Solomontown. He was later appointed the official was employed by Messrs. Bullock and Though only twenty-five years of age, photographer of an Australian syndicate. Fulton, electricians, of Adelaide. Mr. Wilkins has crowded plenty of Mr. Wilkins has always expressed a wish to He first became associated with adventure into his career. He was out with tour the world. With the camera he toured cinematographic development work in the Turks in the Turco-Bulgarian trouble, Australia, Ceylon, Egypt, Northern Africa, connection with the picture enterprises of having a commission from the famous Italy, and France. Mr. W. H. Bruce, of Grote Street, and from Gaumont Co. to take photos for He was next engaged by the Gaumont the outset showed remarkable aptitude for reproduction on moving picture films. Company, and was sent to do the Balkan the work. He soon attracted the attention of While never under rifle fire, he often had war. Mr. Wilkins has many friends in experts and controllers of cinematographic to work his camera when the shells from the Sydney, and, writing to one of them, he enterprises. cannon were screaming around him. gave a most interesting account of his ad- Twelve months ago last February Mr. Mr Grant, a well-known English war ventures. He was held a prisoner once, and Wilkins joined the staff of the Gaumont correspondent, who has since published a ran the risk of being shot. What was nearly Film Company and represented that famous book which recounts many exciting as bad to him, all his films were burnt. On moving picture firm in the Balkans. In experiences, was Mr Wilkins’s comrade in another occasion, while sauntering round connection with his daring exploits in the campaign. From the roar of the with his camera, nightfall overtook him. getting sensational pictures during the battlefield to the quietude of the Arctic He wandered on, and, seeing lights campaign Mr. Wilkins earned a great regions is, indeed, a far cry. ahead, made his way towards them. He was reputation for himself, and is mentioned (Areas’ Express (Booyoolee, SA), Friday warned off however, as there was cholera in frequently in the book Cross and Crescent, 16 January 1914, page 1). the town. He took refuge in a trench, and which was written in connection with the slept heavily, with his camera alongside https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Balkans trouble. 18927928 him. Next morning he found he had been His resourcefulness — that quality so sleeping where they buried those who died characteristic of the Australian — is from cholera. commended in no measured terms by the Mr. Wilkins has now been appointed by author and it is doubtless due to this special the Gaumont Company to take pictures of aptitude that he was selected by Mr. the North Pole expedition. Another member Stefansson to accompany his expedition to of the expedition is Mr. D. Jeness, of the South Polar regions in the capacity of Wellington (N.Z.). Mr Jeness last year led cinematographer. an anthropological expedition, which spent The last letter received from Mr. Wilkins 12 months on Goodenough Island, off the was dated from Port Chalmers (U.S.A.) on coast of Africa. August 1. In that missive he referred to the (Dalby Herald (Qld), Saturday 23 August immediate departure of the vessel for the 1913, page 7) Arctic Circle. The latest cable from Alaska, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 reports that the vessel was wrecked in the Photograph of his parents.*OSU Polar Archives [wilkins_1_1]. 15336615 ice, but that the scientists on board,

2

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

6 March 1914 A few ducks, some seagulls, and a seal Australia twelve weeks before the arrival of A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN IN ALASKA. helped out our provisions, and although we the Buffalo in 1836. did not need a great quantity of food for His parents came out in the Emma, which THRILLING EXPERIENCES. men or dogs, it is Dr. Stefansson’s policy, reached South Australia on October 5 of VESSELS ADRIFT. and a good one, I think, for everyone to eat that year. The voyage occupied six While people have been hearing and as much as he wants while there is any food months. reading of the deeds of South Australians in at all. (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Friday 6 March the frozen south, Another South Australian So, we lived with our appetites well 1914, page 17). has been roughing it in Arctic Regions. satisfied at every meal, and I am sure no https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 He is Mr. G. H. Wilkins, son of Mr. H. hungry man would wish for better fare than 418927 Wilkins, of Oxenbold Street, Parkside, who stewed duck and rice soup. After several was last year sent by the Gaumont days the ice became strong enough for us to Cinematograph Company, London, with the go to the mainland. Canadian Arctic Expedition, under the On October 2, we started for Cape auspices of the Canadian Government. Smyth, some 140 or 150 miles away. We The expedition is in charge of Dr. visited several Eskimo families, from whom Stefansson, and three vessels were sent out: we obtained food. At our first meal with the Karluk, the Alaska, and the Mary Sacks. these people we partook of raw fish frozen Mr. Wilkins left South Australia over two solid, dried reindeer meat, raw and rancid years ago. He went through the Balkan war seal oil that had been stored in a bag of seal with a cinematograph camera, and he has hide for over 12 months, and then, as also taken moving pictures in India, France, dessert, raw caul fat of the reindeer, which Ireland, and Trinidad. His experiences is worth about 25 [shillings] a pound at among the snow and ice in Alaska, related Cape Smyth. in a letter to his parents, will be read with Difficulties of Travelling interest. We reached here on October 12; Jenners Drifting of the Ice-Bound Vessel has had malarial fever, and suffered during Mr. Wilkins’ adventures began almost as most of the trip from ague. He had to ride An advertisement from the (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), on the sledge nearly all the way. McConnell Friday 6 March 1914, page 17). soon as the Karluk reached the pack ice on her northerly voyage. Writing from Cape sprained his ankle slightly and had to ride Smyth, near Point Barrow, Alaska, on for three days, and Stefansson developed a October 17, 1913, he stated that the captain bad back and had to ride most of the last decided to make for the first opening in the two days. I had bad blisters on the toes and pack. swollen tendons above the heels, brought He did so, but subsequently the vessel on by wearing old “mukluks”, the Eskimo was completely frozen in. “On September form of boot, made of soft sealskin, and 20,” he continued, “a party consisting of Dr. thin pliable soles without heels. We heard Stefansson, Messrs. McConnell and on arrival that a ship, which may possibly Jenners, myself, and two Eskimos set out be the Karluk, had been seen drifting in an for the shore. The object was to procure ice floe towards the north-west. fresh meat for our winter use. Up to that If that is so she may drift across to Asia time our living had been excellent in every or towards the North Pole, and may not get way. The party intended to be away about free for years. She may be crushed by ice at eight days. any moment, or continue to drift backwards We camped on the ice the first night, and and forwards past Cape Barrow all the The North Star. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_36_41]. reached an island some six miles from the winter and then get free next spring. mainland the second night. We made our Each of these three things has happened way to a point about three miles from shore, to various vessels similarly situated. We 1915 and there waited for the ice to get stronger, have also heard that the Alaska and Mary as the intervening ice was not strong Sacks got caught in the ice about 100 miles 2 November 1915 enough, to bear us. further along the shore from where we ARCTIC EXPLORATION TWO During the night of our first camp at this landed. ENTERPRISES. They are in shallow water and quite safe. place a strong wind came up, which opened LONDON. Nov. 1. up the ice, and apparently set loose the floe To give you an idea of how extraordinarily that held the Karluk, for we have not seen difficult the ice navigation has been this The Arctic explorer, Vilhjalmar her since. year I might say that of all the ships that Stefansson, cabling to the Daily Chronicle It was useless to think of going on the passed Point Barrow not one came back, from Banks Land, an island in the west of rough ice in search of her, and all that and of those that reached Point Barrow only Arctic America states that the North Star remained was to proceed to Herschell one got away and then she was wrecked. sailed on August 4 in command of Captain Island or to Point Barrow and Cape Smyth. Fortunately, no lives have been lost. Wilkins, a South Australian, her destination Stefansson, McConnell, and myself will being Prince Patrick, or Melville Island, via Good Living on the Ice probably join the other members on the Cape Prince Alfred. The party had few things except what Alaska and Mary Sacks. Jenners, the The Polar Bear is also sailing with they stood up in, and their sleeping bags ethnologist, has made arrangements to live Stefansson commanding, bound for the and rifles, and what was intended for nine with an Eskimo family. North. The expedition has 100 dogs and the days’ provisions, three of which were equipment is the best since the Karluk’s. It already accounted for. We were marooned Without His Camera should finish the exploration of the ice on the islands. The vast expanse of arctic It is unfortunate for me that I left my westward of the 145th meridian, and it ice was on one side and thin slush ice cinematograph camera on the Karluk. The expects to return south during 1916. between us and the shore. The weather was firm will send me another from London Mr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson, leader of the particularly mild for the next few days, when I write by the next mail, which leaves Canadian Polar Expedition, is safe (states which, while making things a little more on November 1. They had a splendid treat the Ottawa correspondent of a London pleasant for camping, prevented us reaching in honour of my birthday on October 26. newspaper telegraphing on September 18 the mainland. Just fancy frozen fish and whale oil for a last). The expedition left Alaska in July, birthday feast. It is interesting to recall that 1913, with equipment for two years. the writer’s father was born in South 3

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

The last news of him was received last 1916 corrects the errors made by Sir John November in Ottawa, and stated that he and Franklin. Dr. Andersen reports that two companions were making their way Stefansson may not return until 1918. northward of Martin Point in April 1914. In 18 August 1916 After remaining with Stefansson and September, 1914, the United States revenue ARCTIC EXPLORATION. party, Wilkins made a trip over the ice and cutter Bear returned from a search for the STEFANSSON EXPEDITION. joined the southern party. Stefansson told expedition, bringing back eight whites and him that the new land discovered might be Eskimo family members of the Canadian NEW LAND FOUND. described as another Greenland. Polar Expedition. “ANOTHER GREENLAND.” Vilhjalmar Stefansson, the leader of the Three of the members have died on NEW YORK, Aug 17. Canadian expedition which left for the Wrangel Island. Messrs. Mallock, the News has been received here from Nome Arctic in October, 1913, who was believed geologist of the expedition; Mamen, the (Alaska) that part of the Stefansson to have perished, was first heard of in topographer; and Brady, a seaman. Eight of Expedition, Dr. Anderson’s southern party, September of last year. He was then safe on the expedition were missing, never having has returned, including D. J. Jenness, of Banks Island (British Columbia), fitting out reached Wrangel Island. The expedition Low Hutt, N.Z., the ethnologist, and for a continuance of his exploration work to met with disaster in September, 1913, Wilkins, an Australian. The schooner ascertain the extent of the new land which through the drifting away in the ice of its Alaska left Bernard Harbour on July 13, and he had discovered south-west of St. ship, the Karluk, during a gale off the reached Herschel Island on July 28. Patrick’s land. Alaskan coast while the leader of the During 1915 a detailed survey of the Stefansson announced to the Canadian expedition himself was ashore. Mr. coastline was completed, the river was Government the discovery of what he called Stefansson started marching in 1914 on a explored for 75 miles, and the geology of “an important area of land hitherto sledge expedition to find the missing the land was examined. Surveys have been unsuspected.” He was to leave with one members of the party, and since then he has made east from Cape Barrow around More schooner to find out exactly the extent of practically been given up for lost. The Bay and Arctic Sound by launch and canoe, what was supposed to be a polar continent announcement that he is safe closes one of returning by sledge in November. which many explorers believed to exist but the most dramatic episodes in the history of Work in the region was completed in the had not seen. polar exploration. spring of this year, and as a result Bathurst A New York message at the time stated (West Australian (Perth, WA), Tuesday 2 Island charts will be rectified. The coastline that the American Geographical Society November 1915, page 6.). is cut up in fjords, and the peninsula and was convinced that the new land is situated https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 over 150 islands have been charted. at 79 degrees north and 117degrees west, 6961458 The geological results are encouraging, a and that 100 miles of its coastline had been great copper field having been mapped out. discovered. A long range of mountains is 20 miles inland. The new area is farther north 3 November 1915 Jenness spent from April to November of 1913 sledging and packing with primitive than any yet discovered, and is near the POLAR EXPLORATION Eskimos in the interior of Victoria Island. Parry Archipelago. The surrounding ocean LONDON, Monday He made an extensive ethnological and is comparatively shallow. Stefansson's Explorer Stefansson, cabling to the Daily archaeological collection, and has taken discovery was regarded as disposing of Chronicle from Banks Island, states the phonograph records of the folklore of the Nansen’s theory that the Arctic is North Star sailed on August 4 under the people. Johansen has a fine marine surrounded by water and that there is little command of Lieut. Wilkins, for either collection, while Wilkins has secured land in the north. Prince Patrick or Melville Island, via Cape camera studies of the native life and When Stefansson left the Karluk in 1914 Prince Alfred. scenery and many specimens of fauna. after she had been locked in the ice, never The Polar Bear is also sailing, Stefansson No official news has been received from to see the vessel again, he was accompanied himself commanding, bound for the north. the northern section of the expedition, but by four of his staff and two Esquimaux. The expedition has a hundred dogs and the Wilkins reported that their schooner was up After the subsequent sinking of the Karluk equipment is of the best. They should finish on the beach at Cape Kellett. her complement set out in three parties to the exploration of the ice westward of the Another schooner was unable to proceed reach civilisation. 145th meridian and expect to return south further north than the unnamed island west Two succeeded, but the third, consisting in 1916. of Banks Island. The ship Polar Bear, of eight, including Dr. Forbes Mackay and (Muswellbrook Chronicle (NSW), under Stefansson, unsuccessfully attempted Mr. James Murray, of Scotland, and M. Wednesday 3 November 1915, page 3.). to voyage west of Banks Island in 1915, but Henri Beuchat, of Paris, did not arrive, and https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 was forced to return, wintering between have not been heard of since. 07837584 Banks Island and Victoria Island. (Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Friday 18 August The projected ice trip into Beaufort Sea 1916, page 7.). was not carried out owing to the death of https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 dogs. 615504 The plans were to spend 1915 in obtaining more information of the land discovered by Stefansson in 1915. Stefansson and his party began their exploration in May, and intend to remain as long as possible, and to spend the summer in the Northern Islands, rejoining the Polar Bear at Melville Island in the fall. It is expected that the Polar Bear will spend the coming winter at Melville Island. If, as seemed possible, there was no land in Beaufort Sea within sledging distance of Banks Island, the northern party intended to return in 1916, but it is hardly anticipated that this would be possible owing to the An advertisement from the (Muswellbrook Chronicle scattering of the parties. The explorers were (NSW), Wednesday 3 November 1915, page 3.). well supplied for two years. The scientist of the southern party brought many tons of specimens. The re- An item in (Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 3 mapping of the Bathurst Island region September 1916, page 6). 4

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

3 September 1916 whom Mr. Stefansson discovered on a cinematograph film, and through this (Part of a larger article) previous expedition. They are quite medium his friends were able to obtain a Geo. H. Wilkins, who is one of untouched by Western civilisation. capital idea of the manners and customs of Stefansson’s Canadian Arctic party, which Human life is very little valued amongst the Esquimaux. Mr. Wilkins explained the after two years on the ice has arrived at them, and what civilised people class as pictures in a capable manner, and those who Nome (Alaska), is a South Australian, born murder is regarded as a more or less were privileged to be present enjoyed a in Adelaide in 1890. He was educated at a harmless eccentricity. novel treat. All the various phases of the public school in his native city, later took a Visiting a camp where he had made natives’ daily routine were depicted. course at the School of Mines, and after that friends with an Eskimo a few months In the winter time they ensconce came to Sydney and was connected with before, Mr. Wilkins was told that the man themselves in snow huts, and when the ice Waddington’s Pictures. was dead, and the manner of his death was goes they erect skin shelters, reminiscent of What he learned there gave him an this. One day the man came across a the Australian blackfellows’ wurlies. These inclination for the work of picture-making, member of the tribe fashioning a knife out huts are easily removable, and the natives and about four years ago he went to of the copper which is found in this region. frequently shift quarters. Their whole outfit England and joined the Gaumont Co., He chaffed him it appears, on his want of weighs about 1,000 lb. and one man can taking films from the air, and doing such skill. “You don't know the first thing about easily drag it across the ice. good work that he was commissioned to go making a knife,” he said in effect. The At times it becomes necessary to wade through the Balkan War for his firm. artificer said nothing until, he had finished across streams, and it was most interesting Philip Gibbs specially mentions him in his his work, when remarking “I think it is a to watch — by the aid of the Adventures of War with Cross and pretty good knife.” he plunged it into the cinematograph, of course—how the natives Crescent. After doing some pictures in the breast of his critic. carefully picked their way through the Trinidad Islands Wilkins was appointed The Eskimo have a keen sense of water to avoid “fouling a hole,” because, as official photographer to the Canadian humour, and this incident was much Mr. Wilkins said, they are averse to having Government with the Stefansson Canadian appreciated. a wash. Arctic Expedition, and subsequently went There is a ceremony of marriage among In their camps none go short of food, north in charge of the boat which picked up these Eskimo, and apparently the number of because if there is not enough in one section the leader and Dr. Anderson and a man’s wives is limited only by his the neighbours are always ready to share. Storkensen. capacity to support them. The regular price Frugality is practised to extremes, and there (Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 3 for a wife is a rifle or 12 months’ hard is absolutely no waste, as all the fat, bones, September 1916, page 6). labour in the service of the prospective and so forth, is carefully preserved, and is https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 bride’s family. It is only rarely that a rifle utilised as fuel. 21349039 can be obtained from the Indians to the As a variety fish of a useful size is south, and the price paid for it, in skins, frequently obtainable, [in] fishing, the practically represents a year's activity in natives make a primitive coral in a stream hunting. with stones, and the men wade in with Some of the more opulent Eskimo three-pronged spears, while the women wait possess three wives. One is chosen for her near the stones to catch any fish that try to personal attractions, another for her make their escape through the crevices. prowess as a hunter and fisher, while the Mosquitoes are extremely troublesome in third does the housework. Some of the this northern dune, and nets are worn over tribes are not above the suspicion of the heads as a protection. The Esquimau is cannibalism, and there is a case now always ready to be photographed, and on pending in which two Roman Catholic one occasion Mr. Wilkins gave them a missionaries were killed and parts of their picture show. He displayed many views of bodies eaten. But the arm of the Canadian animals of the outer world, which aroused police is long, and it has been stretched out consternation. even to these remote limits, and has taken The Esquimaux are an inquisitive race, the culprits in charge. and the arrival of the explorers was always They, however, do not in the least marked by a display of tremendous interest understand the enormity of their offence. on the part of the natives, who turned the (Colac Reformer (Vic), Saturday 30 travellers’ paraphernalia almost inside out. December 1916, page 5). It is a delight to the natives to display their https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 raiment to the visitors. One of the women 59610570 who posed before the camera had a clock wheel displayed in the centre of her dress. An advertisement from the (Sunday Times (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 3 September 1916, page 6). The explorers had never been able to 1917 satisfactorily ascertain how she became 30 December 1916 12 March 1917 possessed of this unusual decoration. In respect to the care of the young, it was THE BLOND ESKIMO. LIFE AMONG THE ESQUIMAUX noticeable that the babies were carried on Mr. George H. Wilkins, a member of the Mr. G. E. Wilkins, the young South the backs of their mothers, with a shield Stefansson Arctic Expedition, has reached Australian explorer, who spent three years covering, in a manner not unlike that of our England after more than three years spent in with Stefansson on the Canadian Arctic own Aborigines. the Arctic, mostly among the Eskimo of Expedition, was tendered a welcome home The Esquimau does not take his food in Victoria Island. Banks Land, and the by his relatives at the Aurora Hotel on the same fashion as does the European. northernmost coast of Canada. Saturday, evening. Mr. Wilkins had unusual Instead of using his teeth to bite each In an interview with Reuter’s opportunities to study the habits and mouthful, he cuts it off as it enters his representative. customs of the little-known Blonde mouth, and so closely that the explorers Mr. Wilkins, who is an Australian, and is Esquimaux, and be entertained the often marvelled that he did not cut a piece now going to join the navy, described some assemblage with an interesting and detailed of his nose off. Mr. Wilkins had on view of his experiences. He has collected a large description of this queer race. many weapons of native manufacture. number of birds and mammal specimens In his position as journalistic Their chief implement is the prehistoric from the Parry Archipelago, a region photographer with the expedition the young bow and arrow, in the use of which they are entirely uncovered hitherto by the South Australian brought back many experts. naturalist. Mr. Wilkins spent a considerable interesting photographs of the natives, The unlimited copper in the vicinity is time among the so-called Blond Eskimo, including several hundred feet of fashioned into knives, and the specimens of 5

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day the metal unmistakably prove that there They were most primitive and lived in continent and west of the Parry would be fortunes in these regions if they small communities of about 100. It was Archipelago, and the geological were more easy of access; the difficulties of necessary for them to do so, as there were examination of the mainland coast. travelling were strikingly portrayed. There not many seals about and the population In both a measure of success was is not always a flat surface to be negotiated, had therefore to be scattered. There was no achieved. A large area of the Beaufort Sea but instead a trail has to be cut over huge chance of any of the native population was covered, mostly by the journey of boulders of ice. Altogether it was a most starving, as if one family were short, Stefansson in 1914. interesting display. another would supplement the deficiency. In 1915 new land was found — land that (Register (Adelaide, SA), Monday 12 The Esquimaux were a hospitable people, might prove to be [a] portion of the vast March 1917, page 4). and they always insisted on his party having continent the existence of which was https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 something to eat or drink on arrival at their suspected by leading scientists. 9968997 camps. So far as the geological work was Moving pictures of the life of the concerned, almost unlimited supplies of Esquimaux and the actual experiences of native copper were discovered. the party in the Arctic zone were shown, Contrary to the general opinion, there and a capital idea of the nature of the was not always snow and ice in the Arctic icebound land was gained. — at least as far north as latitude 78 (Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 15 degrees. March 1917, page 4). The snow disappeared from the ground https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 for about two months of the year, and the 05396265 country presented a greenish-brown aspect. Many migratory birds flocked to the islands, laid their eggs and hatched their young, during the short but warm summer. Various animals, insects, and flowers were noted. The study of the so-called blond Esquimaux was an important and an interesting phase of the work. These people feared most of all evil spirits, and they also had fears of strangers. After a short period, the members of the expedition found them hospitable and friendly. The lecture was illustrated by interesting views shown by means of the episcope. An advertisement from the (Register (Adelaide, SA), Monday 12 March 1917, page 4). (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 29 March 1917, page 8). 15 March 1917 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 573974 LECTURE BY ARCTIC EXPLORER. An interesting lecture by Mr. G. H. An advertisement from the (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Wilkins, of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, Thursday 29 March 1917, page 8.). was given at the Y.M.C.A. hall last night. It was arranged by the members of the Dual 29 March 1917 Club, and there was a large attendance. IN THE ARCTIC. The lecturer was listened to with rapt A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXPLORER. attention as he described the dangers and A story of the trials and difficulties that privations through which the explorers beset Arctic explorers was told by Mr. G. passed. Several members of the expedition H. Wilkins, a young South Australian, who lost their lives, and Mr. Wilkins explained recently returned to Adelaide after three the circumstances which were probably years with the Stefansson exploring responsible for that. The lecturer saw that expedition, in a lecture, entitled “Arctic the conditions for travelling in the Arctic Exploration and the Blond Esquimaux,” Eskimo hunters searching for food. *OSU Polar Archives regions were severe, especially in the delivered under the auspices of the Royal [wilkins32_36_41]. spring. It was sometimes possible to travel Geographical Society at the North Terrace 12 or 35 miles a day, but not often. Institute on Wednesday evening. The journey of Mr. Stefansson across a His Excellency the Governor presided, and 29 March 1917 stretch of ice, 900 miles, to Banks Island, there was a large attendance. ARCTIC CANADA. was outlined on a map. Mr. Wilkins said Mr. Wilkins explained that the expedition that it was thought impossible by AN ILLUMINATING TALK. was organised by the Naval Service experienced people for any man to reach An interested audience listened to a Department of Canada. The route was by the island, but Mr. Stefansson and his party lecture entitled “Arctic Canada and the way of Vancouver Island, through the had been successful. blonde Esquimaux,” by Mr. G. H. Wilkins Bering Sea, along the northern coast of His journey did not result in the (a member of the Stefansson Expedition), at Alaska, and into Canadian territory. discovery of any new land. The southern the Institute Building, North terrace, on The expedition lost its boat in the ice, as expedition had made valuable discoveries Wednesday evening, under the auspices of Shackleton did. Another experience parallel of native copper, 98 per cent of which was the Royal Geographical Society. His to that of the celebrated British explorer pure copper. Some million tons of copper Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry was the marooning of several of the party were actually seen on the surface, and it Galway) presided. on an island. These men were rescued after was that extraordinary discovery which had some months. made the expedition not only a scientific, —Feats of Endurance. — Fortunately, the expedition was able to His Excellency, in introducing the but an economic success. In describing the carry on the main work, and this was done lecturer, said they were particularly life of the Esquimaux, the speaker remarked with the aid of dog sleds. The principal that some of them had never seen a white gratified to know that Mr. Wilkins was a objects were the exploration of the Beaufort South Australian. (Applause.) man before he met them, and they were Sea, which lies north of the American practically living in a stone age. 6

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

He was not the first South Australian who “The southern section of the expedition, 31 March 1917 had performed eminent service in the polar he said, “were able to bring back to ARCTIC CANADA. regions. They had Sir Douglas Mawson and headquarters seven tons of specimens of the others. They were always proud of men various objects of interest in all branches of It was an appropriately warm evening on who had come from those regions, because science.” Wednesday for Mr. George H. Wilkins to they underwent great hardships and The northern sections were still in the arctic give a lecture before the Royal performed wonderful feats of endurance regions. Regarding bird life in in summer, Geographical Society on “Arctic Canada and high courage. most of it was migratory. Eider ducks and the Blonde Eskimos,” and there was a The expedition was now in its fourth flocked there in great numbers. It was good attendance at the Institute Lecture year, and Stefansson was one of those difficult to get near them, however. They Room, North Terrace. wonderful men which nothing ever seemed expected to find the birds as tame as those His Excellency the Governor, who was to deter from going on with their work. in civilization, but that was not so in the attended by Mr. Legh Winser, presided, and After some years’ absence he had turned Arctic. All birds were exceedingly wild, with a few congratulatory remarks up smiling one day, and then plunged again and the speaker could not approach them introduced the lecturer. into the arctic regions. Those were the kind near enough to secure satisfactory pictures. The experiences of the Canadian Arctic of men with whom Mr. Wilkins had been Expedition, under the leadership of Mr. associated, and he was one of their number. Stefansson—an Icelander—as told by Mr. He had gone out as photographer in the Wilkins were thrilling, and although his expedition, and ended up as second in modesty prevented him from taking any of command. (Applause.) the credit for the success of the expedition, it was plain to all in the audience that the lecturer had played no small part in the overcoming of obstacles and the exceeding bravery and perseverance necessary to the attainment of a specified object. Mention has already been made in these columns of the sojourning’s of the intrepid explorers, but on Wednesday we were shown an entirely new set of pictures projected on to the screen by means of the episcope—a wondrous instrument which did all that was required of it and made alarmingly weird A family of penguins. *OSU Polar Archives noises at times. [shackleton_12].

Explaining the methods used by the Esquimaux for rearing their children, he said that weaklings were generally discarded in the ice and left to perish. For two years the infants lived next to their mother’s skin (without clothes), under her warm apparel. In spite of that, they were extremely hardy. A curious fact in connection with the Esquimaux, was the originality in the design of their clothes. At the conclusion, of the address a vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Wilkins by the Governor, to whom a similar courtesy was extended at the instance of the Hon. J. Lewis, M.L.C. (President of the Society) (Journal (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 29 An advertisement in the (Mail (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 31 March 1917, page 7.). An advertisement from the (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), March 1917, page 1). Thursday 29 March 1917, page 8.). https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 The pictures were all the more — Exciting Experiences. — 04694432 appreciated, seeing that they were taken by With the aid of an attractive selection of quite a small Kodak — the greater part of slides Mr. Wilkins outlined the route and the camera equipment having been lost means by which the expedition used to get when the expedition’s largest ship to arctic Canada, where Stefansson planned disappeared. Types of Eskimos, bird, to explore the Beaufort Sea, north of the animal, and plant life were shown, and Mr. American continent. They met with Wilkins’s explanatory remarks were always misfortunes and setbacks similar to those to the point and most interesting. encountered by Sir Ernest Shackleton. His Excellency proposed a vote of thanks The lecturer then described how, after the to the lecturer, and was in turn accorded the members had lost their main boat, which thanks of those present on the motion of the had drifted away during a blizzard while Hon. John Lewis. they were searching for food, they had to Among those present were Mr. W. Herbert traverse 250 miles across the ice and lived Phillipps, Mrs. Lance Dean, Mr. and Mrs. on the proceeds of their rifles meanwhile. William Pope. Mr. W. B. Wilkinson. Mrs. Fortunately they never missed a meal. Seymour Hawker, Mr. J. Edwin Thomas. Beautiful scenes of rugged floe ice and Mrs. John Creswell, Mrs. Herbert Kekwick, arctic bowers were shown. Dealing with the Rev. Dr. Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. latter, Mr. Wilkins referred to their brilliant Mitchell, Rev. and Mrs. C. H. Lea, Mrs. F. colour, and their remarkably quick H. Wells. Miss Daisy Bart, Mr. and Mrs. C. germination and maturity. Strange to relate A. Scales, Miss Begg, Mr. George McEwin, the plants rarely grew more than six inches A header for the 283rd Casualty List (Journal (Adelaide, Mr. Oswald McEwin, Mr. H. A. Hambidge, high. SA), Thursday 29 March 1917, page 1). Mrs. R. Kingsborough. Miss Rita

7

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Kingsborough, Mr. Basedow. Mr. Howard spent in endeavouring to get to the Turkish Mr. Wilkins stated that one of the greatest Davenport. Mr. Alfred Davenport. Mr. front, the authorities stating that it would hardships he experienced was the Walter D. Reed, Mrs. Owen Crompton, not be safe for correspondents to go near inconvenience caused by swarms of Miss Harriet Simpson, Miss Lucy Ayers, the firing line. mosquitoes, which one would never expect Miss Heather Hammond, Mr. A. Astley, That, however, did not prevent some of to find in those cold regions. Mr. and Mrs. E. Britten Jones. Mr. J. C. the correspondents from going out and It was necessary at times to cover Genders, Dr. A. A. Lendon, Mr. W. B. getting what news they could. themselves completely with mosquito Poole, Mr. J. J. Sharp, Mrs. W. Lay, and Subsequently they were promised a day netting in order to carry on their work. Mr. Reg. Thrush. near the firing line, but they only got to Mr. Stefansson had decided to remain in (Mail (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 31 March within three miles of it, when the Turks, the Arctic for another year, and the reason 1917, page 7). began to retreat. In the confusion they that he (the speaker) had to come back was https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 scattered, and a few of them escaped the that he was the only other person able to 9426488 vigilance of the Turkish officers, and navigate the vessel of the returning wandered among the retreating army. party. They did not know exactly in what (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Wednesday 4 direction they were travelling, and finally April 1917, page 9.). three of them found them on a hill top. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 They however did not know the 575691 whereabouts of the Turkish front line.

A shell which burst nearby they thought was a Bulgar missile which had over 10 April 1917 carried. ARCTIC EXPEDITION. AUSTRALIAN RETURNS. Mr. George H. Wilkins, an Australian, has just returned to Melbourne after taking part in the Stefansson Arctic Expedition for over three years. The party left Canada in 1913, and only returned to civilisation at the end of last year. At the beginning the expedition experienced many misfortunes, the greatest of which was the loss of the principal ship, the Karluk, which was carried on with the An advertisement in the (Mail (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 31 ice, and later crushed and sank. Through the March 1917, page 7.). gallant efforts of Captain Bartlett twelve 4 April 1917 members of the Karluk’s crew were saved, but the remaining eleven lost their lives. COMMONWEALTH CLUB. “One of the most interesting sections of the MR. G. H. WILKINS ENTERTAINED. work,” said Mr. Wilkins, “was the study of THRILLING EXPERIENCES IN THE the Eskimo.” These people are living in a World War 1 photograph of Wilkins in uniform. *USO BALKANS. state of happy communion, and share and Polar Archives [ro_0_40_1671_w1200_h678_fmax]. share alike as far as food is concerned,

The members of the Commonwealth keeping only their weapons and skins for They could then see a line of troops Club tendered a luncheon in the Adelaide clothing, with which to show their wealth. advancing about two miles away, which Town Hall on Tuesday to Mr. G. H. They fear most of all the evil spirits; next they took to be the Turks, but when the Wilkins, who recently returned to South to those they fear a stranger, but after a shells began to grow more numerous, they Australia after spending three years in the short acquaintance they become the most found that it was the Bulgars approaching. Arctic regions with the Stefansson kind and hospitable people imaginable. A section of cavalry was sent to take Expedition. The very best they have is for the visitor: them, but they escaped behind a convenient Mr. W. B. Wilkinson presided over a the best joint in the pot, perhaps their only hill. That Balkan war did not in any way large attendance, and in introducing Mr. own horn-made ladle with which to drink compare with the conflict now raging, but Wilkins said it was the club’s first luncheon the soup, for the family must wait until the the whole countryside was being devastated since the annual meeting, and he expressed finest is served. by the Bulgars, and thousands of refugees his gratitude to members for having again Mr. Wilkins, who joined the expedition were flocking towards Constantinople. elected him president. as photographer, but later became second- The condition of those people could not be He did not share the belief of many in-command, emphasised the isolation of imagined by any person who had not been people that the hardships experienced and the northern party by pointing out that it among them. He suffered more from the lives lost in polar expeditions were not took seventeen months for the details of the hardships in the Balkan war than in the repaid by the results obtained. outbreak of the Great War to reach them. Arctic. Regarding the Stefansson expedition, which from an economic standpoint had He was in the West Indies when he was proved a success, Mr. Wilkins started out as requested to accompany the expedition, photographer and rose to the position of which had been organised by the Naval second in command. Department of Canada, with the object of Mr. Wilkins said when he left Australia exploring the Beaufort Sea and making an five years ago; he had no idea of going on investigation of the arctic regions on the an Arctic exploration trip. He was having a mainland of Canada. look round the world, and in England The expedition proved to be an economic became connected with an important news success, for vast supplies of pure copper concern, for which he travelled to various were discovered which were in a position to countries. be easily worked. So far as the scientific At the end of 1912, when the first Balkan side was concerned it was difficult to speak war broke out, he was commissioned to of success in terms of money, but they brought back 7 tons of scientific specimens. accompany the Turkish army as a Some of the local Eskimo people. *OSU Polar Archives newspaper correspondent. A long while was [wilkins32_4_54]. 8

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Up to the present. from aeroplanes, Morse lamp signalling, For every 100 students who go under the Mr. Wilkins has been engaged since his artillery observation and aero map reading, instructors about 10 of them qualify, the return to civilisation in writing reports of compass and nautical bearing reading, the remainder being “washed out” as useless the work of the expedition, but he expects use of machine guns [and] the rigging and for the Flying Corps, and usually placed in shortly to join some form of active service tuning of aeroplanes. some infantry regiment. in the European campaign. After the student of aviation has done this (Pioneer (Yorketown, SA), Saturday 2 (Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), Tuesday course, providing he has been successful, he March 1918, page 4.). 10 April 1917, page 2). is sent to a training squadron to be taught to https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 fly. This course extends over a period of 9910271 22661280 three months. The pupil is taken up into the air, with an 21 December 1918 instructor, in a machine which has a dual INTREPID SOUTH AUSTRALIAN control. [On] the first few flights he only AVIATOR. watches the controlling movements of the instructor and watches the beauties of the It was reported in a cable message in the world below. Register on Saturday that “Capt. Ross After a few flights the pupil is allowed to Smith, an Australian aviator,” had put his hands on the controls and feel the accompanied Major-Gen. M. Salmond on movements of the instructor. A few hours his great aerial voyage from Cairo to India of this and he is allowed to take charge of — a journey of 2,548 miles, which one set of controls and is allowed to fly the occupied 36 hours. Capt. Smith, M.C. and machine, and any faulty movements done bar, D.F.C. (two bars), is a son of Mrs. by the pupil are checked by the instructor. Andrew Smith of Stephen Terrace, The pupil is now allowed to do steep Gilberton. banked turns without sideslipping the The London Gazette of August 24 stated: machine, [and shown] how to glide and — Lieut. Ross Macpherson Smith, M.C., how to land a machine, and how take a Australian Flying Corps, has been awarded machine off the ground. When a pupil has a bar to the Military Cross for conspicuous done a few hours of this, and considered gallantry and devotion to duty. safe, he is sent up to do his first solo—that He was one of two pilots who carried out is to fly an aeroplane by himself, without a remarkable series of photographs, in one anyone else in the machine. This is the most flight completely covering an important exciting time of his aviation tuition. area of 45 square miles. It very often happens that upon the pupil On a later occasion he successfully landing the machine after his first flight, it bombed an important bridgehead from a low altitude, and his work throughout, as An advertisement in the (Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), is more or less smashed to matchwood, and, Tuesday 10 April 1917, page 2.). unfortunately very often with fatal results to well as his photography, has been the pupil. The next stage for the successful invaluable and characterized by the most pupil is to practice landings and flying in conspicuous gallantry.” 1918 general followed by a turn in a faster type (Observer (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 21 of machine — one which has a little more December 1918, page 28.). 2 March 1918 vice, and not quite so tame. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 After he has done about 30 to 40 hours THE MEN WHO FLY. 64169432 solo flying, he is sent to a finishing school

THE TRAINING OF AVIATORS, FOR and goes through a course of special flying, ACTIVE SERVICE. shooting and fighting in the air, and aerial 1919 The following interesting and instructive tactics. This course lasts a month, and is article has been written by Captain Harry J. taught at this school. The first thing he is Butter, of Minlaton, but now on active taught is looping the loop. service as flight commander with the Royal An instructor takes him up in a machine Flying Corps. “The first thing is the with dual controls and loops the loop with selection of suitable people, if possible him several times, allowing the pupil at the those who are engineers, and possessed of same time to have his hands on the controls more than ordinary intelligence and and feel what movement takes place. physically fit in every way, possessing After the pupil has looped a few times plenty of nerve and pluck. under the tuition of the instructor, he is next Unfortunately, men possessing all the taught how to spin, roll and turn a machine, above requirements are few and far also formation flying, shooting with an between, therefore the Flying Corps are aerial machine gun, and bomb-dropping. labouring under very trying difficulties. If the pupil is successful in passing the examination in all the courses mentioned he World War 1 photograph. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins After the men are selected they are sent to a 52_1_18]. is then graduated and given his wings to cadet school for six weeks to train for the wear and is gazetted as a flight lieutenant, commission of second lieutenant and if they 28 April 1919 are successful in passing these and in most cases he very soon finds examinations, they then are gazetted with himself on active service over the lines in AWARDED BAR TO M.C. the rank of second lieutenant on probation. France, with a fat old Hun manoeuvring to CAPTAIN WILKINS DELAYED. A month at a nautical college follows, for get a shot at him. Captain Wilkins, who is flying to the purpose of undergoing a course of Every airman trained costs the Australia in a Blackburn Kangaroo instruction in the elementary principle of government, roughly, from £6000 to £7000. machine, is delayed at Suda Bay, Crete. aviation. That covers the salaries paid to the The port engine is completely out of action. This course is more an insight training of instructors, etc., but the most expensive part An indefinite delay has resulted. how and why an aeroplane flies and how it is the number of machines he crashes (The Horsham Times, (Vic), 23 Dec 1919 during his course of training, or the number is made, [including] the maintenance of p.3.). aeroplanes and the theory of flight, the of machines crashed by would-be airmen https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 working and maintenance of aero engines who were incapable. 3035250 and general principals, wireless telegraphy 9

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24 November 1919 dozen spectators were present. General AIR RACE. MacEwen, general officer commanding the Air Force in India, was the first to welcome ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA. the pilot as he alighted. Both Poulet and ANOTHER MACHINE STARTS. Benoist (his mechanic) were looking CAPT. WILKINS'S “KANGAROO” well, and were in excellent spirits. (Australian Press Association.) The aeroplane was first sighted at 3 LONDON, Nov. 23. o’clock, travelling from the westward, Captain G. C. Wilkins (South Australia), evidently being unable to pick out the M.C. and bar, Lieutenant V. Rendle landing ground owing to the absence of any (Brisbane), Lieutenant D. R. Williams aerodrome. A pilot was sent up in a two- (Sydney), and Lieutenant G. St. C. Potts seater aeroplane to direct Poulet’s course, (Sydney), on a Blackburn Kangaroo smoke, fire, and Verey lights being also aeroplane, left Hounslow, near London, at used. Poulet described himself as having 23 minutes to 11 o’clock on Friday morning been very pleased with the journey. The to fly to Australia. temperature was cool, but the journey was They reached Romilly (62 miles east of rather “jumpy” owing to the presence of Paris) at noon on Saturday, after having cumulus clouds. The height maintained was An advertisement in the (Advertiser (Adelaide SA), Friday encountered heavy snow at Amiens. about 2,000ft. 15 August 1919, page 9). Benoist has recovered from the fever he Captain Matthews Resumes. contracted at Karachi, where delay was also 15 August 1919 Captain C. G. Matthews, another of the due to the absence of maps and trouble in MORE WAR HONOURS. competitors in the flight to Australia, who the oil distributer, replacement of parts left Hounslow on October 23, and was SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RECIPIENTS. being essential. One engine did not go very delayed for a long time on the Rhine, first at well during the flight to Delhi, and one tank The following South Australians have Cologne and later at Mayence, has now leaked slightly. In spite of these slight received honours and awards for valuable reached Dagsburg, 100 miles south-west of difficulties, the aeroplane arrived over services rendered in connection with Mayence. He is using a Sopwith machine. Delhi almost to the minute expected. military operations. Repairs to these and to one of the tank The names in the peace honour list Another Aspirant. struts took only one hour, and the published in A.I.F. orders of June 6, 1919: Lieutenant R. Parer, of the Australian aeroplane, after taking 100 gallons of petrol — Awarded a Bar to the Military Cross. Flying Corps, is negotiating with the and 10 gallons of oil, left for Allahabad this Lt. (T.-Capt.) George Hubert Wilkins, Beardmore Aeroplane Company with, a morning. Poulet and Benoist dined with the M.C., Gen. List, A.I.F. view to taking part in the competitive flight Air Board last night. (Advertiser (Adelaide SA), Friday 15 to Australia. A race has now developed in the flight to August 1919, page 9). The Surbiton Disaster. Australia between Ross Smith and Poulet https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 In view of the verdict of accidental death (who, however, is not a competitor for the 615385 recorded at the coroner's inquest into the prize), and the contest is being watched aviation disaster at Surbiton, near London, with the keenest interest in India. 4 November 1919 where Captain R. Douglas and Lieutenant J. Records of Competitors. WILKINS GOING TO ANTARCTIC S. Ross, two competitors in the flight to The record of the airmen who have taken Australia, lost their lives, the Australian (Published in the Times). part in the great flight to Australia from military authorities are not taking part in the LONDON, October 30. Europe is shown in the following table: — official investigation. However, they have Captain G. H. Wilkins, one of the requested the Air Ministry to supply a competitors in the air flight to Australia, ETIENNE POULET (Caudron). complete report. who is a noted photographer, has been Left Paris Oct. 15. Arrived Frejus Oct. 15. (Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Monday 24 appointed chief of the scientific staff [on] Arrived Rome Oct.16. Forced landing at November 1919, page 7). Dr. Cope’s forthcoming expedition to the Naples, Oct. 17. Forced landing at Brindisi, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 Antarctic. Oct. 20. Forced landing at Valona, Oct. 21. 649869 (Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times Arrived at Constantinople Oct. 30. Arrived

(Albury, NSW), Tuesday 4 November at Aleppo Nov. 4. Arrived at Bagdad 26 November 1919 1919, page 2). Nov.5. Arrived at Bushire Nov.6. Arrived at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 AIR RACE. Dunder Abbas Nov. 7. Arrived at Karachi 09838989 EXCITEMENT GROWING, Nov.11. Arrived at Nasirabad Nov. 18. Arrived at Delhi Nov. 24. Left Delhi for POULET LEAVES DELHI. Allahabad Nov 25. ROSS SMITH CATCHING UP. (Australian Press Association.) CAPTAIN C. C. MATTHEWS (Sopwith). DELHI, Nov. 25, 11 a.m. Left London Oct. 21. Forced landing at Etienne Poulet, the French airman, who is Marquise Oct. 22. Arrived Cologne Oct. 23. flying from Paris to Melbourne, arrived Forced landing at Mayence Nov.2. Forced here from Nasirabad (300 miles away) on landing at Dagsburg. Nov. 21. Monday afternoon, and left again at dawn this morning for Allahabad (400 miles CAPTAIN ROSS SMITH (Vickers-Vimy). away). Left London Nov. 12. Arrived Lyons Nov. Captain Ross Smith, the Australian air- 12. Arrived Pisa Nov. 13. Arrived Rome man, who is the leading competitor for the Nov. 15. Arrived Cairo Nov. 18. Arrived Commonwealth prize of £10,000 for a Basra Nov. 22.Arrived Karachi Nov. flight from England to Australia, is 24.Left Karachi for Delhi Nov. 25. expected at Delhi this evening, coming direct from Karachi (680 miles away). Late CAPTAIN R. DOUGLAS (Alliance). Poulet reached Delhi at 3.20 p.m. on Left London Nov. 13. Killed at Surbiton An advertisement in the (Border Morning Mail and Monday, having left Nasirabad at 11.20 the Nov. 13. Riverina Times (Albury, NSW), Tuesday 4 November same day. Owing to the distance of the 1919, page 2). aerodrome from Delhi, only some two 10

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CAPTAIN WILKINS (Blackburn- command of Stefansson’s Arctic Kangaroo) Expedition. Left London Nov. 21. Arrived Romilly Lieutenant D. R. Williams, formerly Nov. 22 instructor at the Richmond Flying School, goes as second pilot, and Lieutenant G. H. India to Australia. Potts (whose father is principal of the Beyond Calcutta, which will probably be Hawkesbury Agricultural College) will act the next stopping place of Poulet after as mechanic. Kangaroo planes are fitted leaving Allahabad, the route lies over with twin Rolls Royce Falcon engines. country far from favourable for aeroplane The aviators will not carry wireless owing flying. to the weight of the installations. Their route will be across France, Rome, Malta, the African Coast, Ramleh, Karachi, Calcutta, Singapore, Darwin, Brisbane, Attempting to extract the wreckage of the Blackburn Sydney, and Melbourne. The machine is Kangaroo. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_8_25]. armed almost like a war machine, and all the crew are carrying rifles. 6 December 1919 (Recorder (Port Pirie, SA), Wednesday 26 November 1919, page 1). THE ANTARCTIC. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 DR. COPE’S EXPEDITION. 5465019 LONDON, Dec. 2 The Blackburn Company is constructing a Blackburn single-engine biplane, entirely different from the Kangaroo, to accompany

View from the air during the race. *OSU Polar Archives Dr. Cope’s expedition to the Antarctic, to [wilkins32_8_4]. make the final dash of 400 miles to the pole. Between Calcutta and the Dutch East Its construction presents enormous Indies the only landing grounds suitable for difficulties owing to it being necessary for immediate use are the racecourses at the ma-chine to have great lifting capacity. Rangoon and at Singapore. Beyond It will carry four men, including Dr. Cope Singapore, where the route lies over the and Captain Wilkins; a considerable Dutch Islands, the next place where good quantity of equipment such as sledge and landing facilities exist is Bandoong, and The view from the Blackburn Kangaroo. *OSU Polar camping outfit, shovels, spades, tent, and thence no organised landing ground is Archives. [wilkins3_28_21]. cooking stove; and provisions to last 10 available for the intervening 1,760 miles to weeks, to meet an emergency in the event Darwin. 5 December 1919 of the machine crashing, necessitating a As the weather after the end of November THE COMMONWEALTH FLIGHT. return on foot. is most unfavourable, the official view It will carry sufficient petrol to cover expressed by the British air authorities was COMPETITORS ANNOUNCED. 12,000 miles, owing to the fact that it is not that only aeroplanes possessing a range of Capt. Cedric Ernest Howell, D.S.O., M.C., likely to be able to follow a direct course. at least 2,000 miles could make the attempt D.F.C., and Henry Fraser (mechanic); The journey to the Pole from the Great with any hope of success. Martinsyde machine, 275 h.p. Rolls-Royce Barrier will be flown at 6000 feet, but the Difficulties would be considerably engines. Not yet started. Capt. George machine must be capable of flying at lessened if competing machines were fitted Campbell Matthews and Sgt. Tom Kay; 11,000 feet, which, owing to the rarefied with floats at Calcutta, and continued the Sopwith Wallaby machine, 350 h.p. Rolls- atmosphere, is equal to 21,000 feet in lower journey as sea-planes, as there are several Royce Eagle engines. Started October 21; altitudes. suitable harbours and inlets on the route to last reported at Vienna on December 2. The machine must be warmed Australia. Lieut. Valdemar Rendle and Lieut. D. R. throughout, and the whole fuselage airtight. (Argus (Melbourne, Vic), Wednesday 26 Williams (pilots), Capt. G. H. Wilkins, It is impossible to use wheels for the November 1919, page 15). M.C. and bar (navigator), and Lieut. G. H. undercarriage. Skids will replace them. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 Potts (engineer); Blackburn Kangaroo A machine fitted with the latter will be sent 648195 machine, two 275 h.p. Rolls-Royce Falcon to Scandinavia in January to test their engines. Started November 21; last reported suitability. at Rome November 30. Lieut. R. M. A water-cooled engine is out of the 26 November 1919 Douglas, M.C., D.C.M. (pilot), and Lieut. J. question, owing to the certainty of freezing. WILKINS’ CREW AND EQUIPMENT S. L. Ross (navigator); Alliance machine, An air cooled engine is impracticable, The Kangaroo, which was constructed for 450 h.p. Napier Lion engines. Started owing to the fragility of the cylinder under the journey to Australia, flew from the November 13; machine crashed and intense cold, therefore they are adopting an Brough aerodrome, near Hull, on Tuesday, aviators were fatally injured on the same oil-cooled engine. The machine will be and arrived at Hounslow in two and a half day. Capt. Ross M. Smith and Lieut. Keith shipped complete, but will be partly hours. Lieutenant V. Rendle, who piloted Smith (pilots), with Sgt. J. M. Bennett and dismantled, the wings being folded back. the plane, said he considered the tests to W. M. Shiers; Vickers-Vimy machine, (Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Saturday have been thoroughly satisfactory. Rolls-Royce engines. Started November 21; 6 December 1919, page 13). Lieutenant Rendle is the son of a passed the French aviator, M. Poulet, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Brisbane doctor, and as an engineer in the between Akyab and Rangoon. Lieut. 5867084 employ of the Queensland Meat Export Raymond John Paul Parer, with Mr. J. C. Company, he served as pilot of a Flying McIntosh (mechanic); Beardmore machine. 11 December 1919 Corps in France. Not completed negotiations. The French Captain G. H. Wilkins, who will aviator M. Poulet (with M. Benoist as THE GREAT ADVENTURE. command and navigate the machine, is a mechanic), is not a competitor for the Its Difficulties and Dangers. native of Adelaide, and was awarded the Commonwealth prize. A BIRD’S EYE VIEW. Military Cross with bar for daring work as (Register (Adelaide, SA), Friday 5 an Australian official photographer. He was December 1919, page 7). THE SEVEN “COMPETITORS.” a correspondent with the Turkish army in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 With the triumphant arrival of Captain the last Balkan war and was second-in- 5465019 Ross Smith and his Vickers-Vimy crew at 11

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Darwin, the great adventure that the the commencement of his journey, striving The complete aircraft and its component Commonwealth Government’s prize of for the honour of being the first man to pilot parts must have been entirely constructed £10,000 set in motion comes to an end an aeroplane from Europe to Australia. within the confines of the British Empire. officially. The prize has been won — well The magnificent flight of Captain Ross An entrance fee of £100 is to be deposited won. Smith and his Australian crew has, with the Royal Aero Club, London, seven The practical advantage of such however, robbed him of that honour. days before flight. Only one aeroplane to be adventurous flights to Australia in Nevertheless the Frenchman has done well, used through-out flight, and, although comparison, say, with more deliberate and airmen in Australia speak in tones of individual replacements and repairs may be flights later over a route that had been admiration of the Frenchman's superb made to the aircraft and motor, neither may thoroughly tested and equipped, section by courage. be changed as a whole. At each control and section, must obviously be a matter of Undertaking the venture purely as a at the finishing point two marked parts out doubt, since there is no guarantee, of sporting adventure, and receiving no of five in both aircraft engines must be in course, that any one or more of the sections financial support from the French place. over which Captain Ross Smith and his Government or from the maker of his gallant crew have “skimmed” so fearlessly Caudron G4 machine, which — an ordinary Matthews’s Mistake. may not, in slightly altered circumstances, model of the Caudron machines then in Captain Matthews left London on 21st prove a death trap to other aviators. current use, and not specially designed for a October, just a week after the Frenchman, world flight—he bought with his own Poulet, had flown from Paris. He money, the gallant Frenchman, it is pointed (Matthews) was confident of overtaking the out, faced a journey in which all the odds Frenchman, and his Sopwith machine, it were against him from the start. was reported, rose like a bird and Perhaps that was why he started. disappeared in the fog. Who knows? He (Matthews) did not carry the He was a Frenchman, with a Frenchman's envelope that the enlightened Colonial war record. Office had directed from the King to Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, Governor- Poulet’s Luck. General, addressed, “Government House Poulet left Paris on 14th October, Sydney, Victoria.” The envelope had been announcing, with the heart of a lion, that he changed in the meantime, and they did not would “be in Melbourne on 11th want superstitious people who declared that November.” His itinerary was painted on Matthews’s luck changed with it. That as it the machine — a little bit of display that may be, Matthews arrived at Cologne the can be forgiven in a Frenchman. Fortune, following day, and all the world started however, which allowed him a smiling face inquiring whether it was his intention to at the start, turned from him as he left his defy the International Convention’s rule native land. She did not smile on this against flying over Germany. “foreign adventure.” It was understood later that the machine At Naples Poulet was forced to land for was damaged, and that Sergeant Kay was three days to attend to his machine, and at injured in the landing at Cologne. Captain Valona he was compelled to undergo a Matthews himself gave it out that he was similar experience. At Karachi, at the gates, weatherbound and weatherbound or as it were, of India, his assistant developed otherwise bound, at Cologne he remained A map from an article on Captain Ross Smith (Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Saturday 6 December 1919, page fever. What that meant to Poulet probably for twelve days. On 31st October he got as 13). only Poulet could say, but it is easy to far as Mayence, a part of the French believe that during those anxious days the occupied region of Germany, and there he However, it is not so much the practical Frenchman consumed every ounce of news was again reported weatherbound, and in value as the romance and heroism of the that arrived from England about his fellow the eyes of his fellow competitors and the great adventure that will appeal to the competitors’ movements. world generally was “out of the race.” Australian mind, and the deed having been He had travelled far enough then to The Captain, however, was not quite out done, and the prize fairly won, all realise the gigantic risks of the journey the of it. On 2nd December (a month later) his Australians will welcome the heroes from others were just entering upon: its friends were delighted to hear that he had the clouds, and join in the general possibilities and impossibilities under arrived at Vienna, and developed a new manifestations of pleasure that the first men certain conditions. He could hardly have interest in their favourite and the race. to make a flight by air from Great Britain to been prepared, however, for the wonderful Australia were Australians. flight of the Vickers-Vimy crew; but that in Tragedy. It must not be overlooked, of course, in sequence. The prospects of none of the competitors pride of race, that the prize was only open looked brighter than those of Captain to persons of Australian nationality, and The Government’s Prize. Douglas, M.C., D.C.M. (Queensland), and that there was therefore no encouragement The first men to get away from England Lieutenant J. S. L. Ross (New South to aviators of English or of foreign in actual competition for the Wales), who on that fateful morning of 13th nationality to give the Australians “a go for Commonwealth Government’s prize were November rose from the Hounslow it.” Still, even had the competition been Captain G. C. Matthews (pilot) and aerodrome, ten miles south by west from open to the whole world, the indications are Sergeant T. D. Kay (mechanic) in a London (the official starting point of the that the Australians would have been right Sopwith machine, which was capable of a race) in their magnificently equipped in the vanguard. speed of 135 miles an hour and a cruising Alliance aeroplane, fitted with Rolls-Royce The story of Etienne Poulet, the speed of 80 miles an hour. engines of latest design and every form of Frenchman, indicates this. Although Poulet The men and the machine fulfilled the equipment, including wireless, conceivably was not, in the ordinary sense, a competitor preliminary conditions of the contest, the useful on such a trip. Some people said the in this tremendous flight across the world conditions, summarised, being:— A prize machine was over-equipped, overweighted. — neither Poulet’s nationality, nor of £10,000 to be awarded to the pilot who That as it might be, the chance of these machine, nor route complied with the first accomplishes an aeroplane or seaplane two aviators, both having long flying conditions of the Commonwealth flight from Great Britain to Australia within records, seemed to be exceptionally bright. Government’s competition — he was, in 720 consecutive hours (30 days), before Indeed, with Poulet still hugging Persia, the popular imagination and for all practical 31st December, 1920. Pilot and crew must and with Matthews snowed up at Mayence, purposes, a competitor, because there is no be of Australian nationality in regard to the the Douglas-Ross combination seemed to doubt that the daring Frenchman was, from laws of Commonwealth. be the only competitors from who the Vickers-Vimy crew, which had left London 12

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day the previous day, seemed to have anything Vimy, fitted with two special Rolls-Royce Frenchman. Thence, in sporting parlance, to fear. “Eagle” engines, carrying 500 gallons of they “took the lead” and never looked back. In fact, it was upon these two crews that petrol and spare parts (but no wireless), the the attention of the aviation world focussed weight of the machine, fully equipped, Across Jungle and Ocean. itself. Both crews were back to the limit in being 12,000 lb. Its cruising speed was 95 Rangoon was the finish of the “race” as machines engines, and equipment by the miles an hour. far as the Frenchman was concerned. His powerful companies whose reputation they From England to France the journey was "luck" stuck to him. Attempting to leave were carrying. Captain Douglas viewed the through heavy clouds and snow, the Rangoon the day after the Australian the competition with confidence. machine arriving at Lyons, in the south of Frenchman ran in a fog, and fearing to lose The one-day start of Captain Ross Smith France, with instruments frozen and the his way, turned back. and the Vickers-Vimy combination did not machine covered with ice. The day following, again essaying to trouble him. The “Dodger”, as he was A flooded aerodrome at Pisa and a leave Rangoon, the tyres of his machine known in Queensland boxing circles, was a bogged exit was an incident of the journey burst. On the third occasion he was well on believer in “big jumps.” He spoke happily, to Italy. From Italy to Greece the aviators his way to Bangkok (the capital of Siam), confidently of reaching Australia in ten laboured through a rain storm, the passage when his engine began to give trouble, and flights. over the great mountains of Italy being valuing his life as well as his honour, the What, then, was a day here or there? And, varied by a “bumpy” atmosphere, through Frenchman again turned back. Thereafter it had not the unexpected happened, “Dodger” which the machine fell, at intervals, would appear that Poulet did not attempt to would probably have been right. But it was distances of 200, 300 and 500 feet into keep pace with the Australians. the unexpected, the almost unbelievable, space. Nevertheless, he was not quite “out of it,” that happened. for to aviation perhaps more than any other Most people, following the race, were pastime is gruesomely applicable the old prepared for an accident or two, even saw, “There’s many a slip twixt the cup and disaster possibly on the deserts of Syria or the lip.” the ocean stretch between Java and The story of the Captain Ross Smith’s Australia. But none anticipated, none “run home” from Singapore to Darwin is dreamed of what did actually happen. It is, still fresh. The journey from Rangoon of course, history now. (Burma) to Singapore was earlier accounted At Surbiton, within six miles of the one of the most formidable laps, if not the starting point, with the cheering crowds at most formidable “lap” of the journey, since Hounslow scarcely out of sight, the huge, it covered 1000 miles across jungle country, heavily equipped Alliance machine, flying where a forced landing would have been, it low, nose dipped and crashed with terrific is stated, even more disastrous than a forced force into an orchard. It broke off a tree as a landing into the sea. child would break a stick of chocolate. However, all went well. The Australian Lieutenant Ross was killed outright. team arrived at Singapore on 4th December, Captain Douglas died shortly after in the and commenced the last long lap across the presence of a doctor. Thus did this world islands and the ocean to Australia. The flight end — almost before it had begun. In secret provision that, it transpired, was view of the fact that nine competitors were made at the expense of the Vickers-Vimy Company for the construction of special dashed to death in the single trans- Heading of an article from the (Age (Melbourne, Vic), continental flight from New York to San Thursday 11 December 1919, page 7). aerodromes on the Sumbawa, Flores and Francisco and back to New York, it was Timor islands, shows that the gallant perhaps too much to expect that tragedy From Rome to Taranto, from Taranto to captain was as seized of the necessity for would pass by altogether this greater race Suda Bay, and from Suda Bay to Cairo, in the fullest caution as was Mr. Hughes, the with death across the wide, wide world. Egypt, took a couple of days. The journey Prime Minister himself, when on 18th But to come as it did, so simply, before from Cairo to the Persian Gulf lay over the November, he cabled to Captain Smith: — the race had fairly started, when the intrepid Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee to “Do your best, but do nothing foolhardy. If young Australians could not have suspected Damascus; thence across the Syrian Desert, you cannot make Australia within 30 days, its nearness nor had a chance to provide for along the course of the Euphrates, over never mind. Good luck.” it, that was the rub — the cruel part of it. Kutel-Amara, where General Townsend’s Captain Ross Smith and his fellow ill-fated army was beleaguered by the Australians however, reached Australia The Winning Team. Turks, and across the Garden of Eden. within the 30 days. They have won the With their most powerful competitor out The strange and interesting journey over coveted prize of £10,000, and of the way, the Vickers-Vimy crew sped on historic and, some of it, dangerous country, simultaneously the good will and wishes of to surer victory, all unaware of the tragedy occupied just five days. A single forced every Australian. The announcement that that had played its part in their success. descent into the desert, amongst an Captain Ross Smith will permit Poulet, the It would probably have been at Rome, unfriendly and semi-barbarian people, and Frenchman, to use his special island two days later, that Captain Ross-Smith and the flight might there and then have ended aerodromes, is typical of the Australian the Vickers-Vimy crew heard the news, and for the Australian band. However, fortune, sporting spirit. The Frenchman will as Australian sportsmen it would have been a good machine and careful piloting served doubtless appreciate the generosity, and, sad news to them. them, and from Bander Abbas to Karachi, doubtless also, the little unavoidable touch May be, too, it shook their nerve some- and from Karachi to Delhi (the capital of of unconscious cruelty that accompanies what. However, with the time limit to think India), the Australians proceeded in a this, “after me, mate” use of the winning of, and Poulet, “honour bound,” 3000 miles couple of days without misfortune or captain's aerodrome facilities. ahead, they set their eyes to the east and mishap. sped on. The team had now journeyed a distance The Competitors’ Performances. The team comprised: — Captain Ross of slightly over 5000 miles in 13 days, In view of Captain Ross Smith's success, Smith, M.C. and bar, D.C. and two bars, sleeping, resting and attending to the the movements of the other competitors will probably be a little uncertain. There is little South Australia, pilot and navigator. Lieut. machine at the various stations en route. Keith Ross Smith, South Australia, assistant Proceeding from Delhi to Allahabad, from doubt, however, that those already on the pilot and navigator. Sergt. J. M. Bennett, St. Allahabad to Calcutta from Calcutta to road will finish, or attempt to finish. Captain G. H. Wilkins, M.C. and bar, Kilda, Vic., mechanic. Sergt. Shires, Akyab, and from Akyab to Rangoon (the Adelaide, mechanic. capital of Burma), the Australian crew together with Lieutenant V. Rendle, The machine which “went after” the arrived at the last named place at 11.30 a.m. Lieutenant D. R. Williams and Lieutenant G. St. C. Potts, left England in their Frenchman was the very latest Vickers- on 30th November, one hour ahead of the Blackburn-Kangaroo machine on 21st 13

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

November, and when last reported, at the main return oil pipe of the port engine 13 December 1919 beginning of the month, were at Rome. broke, necessitating her return to Suda Bay. Captain C. E. Howell, who left London in a This was successfully accomplished on ‘Captain Wilkins’ by FM Cutlack, Martynside machine on 5th December, is a the starboard engine, notwithstanding the Captain G. H. Wilkins, commanding the Victorian boy, who was educated at the strain of the previous 627 Blackburn Kangaroo machine, which has Church of England Grammar School. Miles’ flight from Taranto to Suda Bay. just left England on the prize flight to His start was considerably delayed by bad (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 11 Australia, is one of the most romantic weather, but he left England, it is reported, December 1919, page 7). characters of the war – and the war brought “in hopes of arriving first.” Another out many of them. There are some men who https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 thrive on the excitement of danger, who competitor who has entered for the race, but 648944/990443 who has not left England, is Lieutenant R. seem not to know what fear is, or to have a J. M. Parer, who, with J. C. McIntosh as nerve in their system Wilkins is one of mechanic, will, it is reported, fly a modified them. scout aeroplane, fitted with Beadmore He does not mind whether it is polar engines. The time limit is 30 days. exploration for searching the jungle with a The several competitors and their cinematograph, or photographing in No performances are as follow: Man’s Land, or aeroplaning anywhere on earth. His life has held enough adventure to satisfy any ordinary man: but Wilkins will pursue adventure to his dying day. If he had been a combatant during the last war, he would have gone on winning the VC till he lost his life. However, his is an altogether charmed life. We lived together in France for a year or An advertisement at the end of the article from the more, and on many a summer evening as (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 11 December 1919, we sat outside our tent in the dark, while the page 7). Huns droned overhead, Wilkins would

dilate upon the delights of social life among 12 December 1919 the Eskimos. RETURNING AIRMEN. That experience belongs to the two or WINNERS OF DISTINCTION. three years he spent with the Stefansson

Melbourne, Thursday. Expedition in the North Polar seas. His age is somewhere between 30 and 40, and he Darwin to Melbourne. The Defence Department published the It is expected that the victorious following list of members of the Australian started his worldwide roaming with a Australians will rest for a few days at Flying Corps who have been awarded cinema show somewhere in South Darwin before starting their flight to decorations and are returning to Australia Australia. Melbourne, via Longreach, Charleville, per aeroplane: — Air Force Medal (2nd The rough life appealed to him but Bourke, Cootamundra and Albury. Military District — 1st Air Mechanic apparently the circus was very small beer, The official route does not provide for a Walter Henry Shiers. Air Force Medal and for he soon persuaded a well-known call at Sydney, but it is considered not Meritorious Service Medal: (3rd Military cinematograph firm to set him loose on the improbable that yielding to the “parochial District) Sergeant-Mechanic James Mallett world, preferably wild parts of it, with a pride” of Sydney and the pressing invitation Bennett. Military Cross and Bar (4th cinematograph camera and outfit. of its Lord Mayor to “come and have a Military District) — Captain George Hubert He did a lot of that work in Australia and civic reception worthy of the occasion,” the Wilkins. Military Cross and Bar, America and the hunting down of adventure aviators will be tempted to call in and Distinguished Flying Cross and Two Bars with a camera has become a craze with him. appease the vanity of Melbourne’s northern (4th Military District) — Capt. Ross He was attracted to the Balkan War of neighbours. McPherson Smith. Air Force Cross (4th 1912, but it seemed that experience was so (Age (Melbourne, Vic), Thursday 11 Military District) — Capt. George eclipsed by his career during the late war December 1919, page 7). Campbell Matthews. that it was not worth while talking about. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 (Ballarat Star (Vic), Friday 12 December After the Balkan war he joined 03692122 1919, page 7.). Stefansson’s Arctic expedition as scientific https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 leader – science meaning in this case 12676592 chiefly the immortal cinematograph. 11 December, 1919 The expeditions object was the charting CAPTAIN WILKINS IN TROUBLE. and sounding of the polar seas, and for two CAPTAIN HOWELL’S PROGRESS. or three years the party drifted about in the (Part of a larger article.) ice, war roamed the wastes of it, under LONDON, December 9. great hardship. The Blackburn Kangaroo aeroplane, with There Wilkins learned a bit of navigation Captain Wilkins as pilot left Taranto for as a hobby. He used to tell us of his journey Suda Bay on Thursday, December 5. The on foot of several hundred miles on sea ice, aviator met with engine trouble off the how the expedition took a boat further Island of Crete on December 8, and he north than any boated ever been before, returned to Suda Bay in safety, after having how his cinema films were spoiled while left that port. undeveloped through the carelessness of Captain Howell, in a Martinsyde the New York Post Office, and with a fond aeroplane, arrived at Taranto (Italy) on and lingering memory especially of December 8, and he will leave for Suda Bay Stefansson’s stews. (Crete) today. He left London on Thursday They never had any faddy tastes, said morning. Wilkins about eating things separately at meals. Stefansson had one large pot, and MISHAP TO THE KANGAROO. An advertisement in the (The Capricornian into this he would put everything together LONDON, December 9. (Rockhampton) Saturday 13 December 1919 page 31.). to cook – tea leaves, condensed milk, The Kangaroo aeroplane left Suda Bay oatmeal, beans, vegetable rations, rice, jam, yesterday for Egypt. When 40 miles out the a bit of green hide (when they had no meat), 14

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day fish – anything. “It’s all the same after you It is reported that Captain Wilkins, flying view of its ambitious nature was unable to have eaten it, anyway,” Wilkins used to say the Blackburn-Kangaroo aeroplane, made a recommend the council’s specific approval without a trace of a smile,” so what does it bad landing at Suda Bay (Crete), where he until the proposed staff, especially the matter.” was forced to return owing to engine names of the sailing master and the head of The Eskimos called him ‘teeum-Meeuk- trouble. None of the crew was injured. the scientific staff, were known. Poeng’ (adopted by our camp as Tin-milk- The restart may be considerably delayed. The committee hoped, when the plans chum), meaning He-of-the-wonderful-eyes, (Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Tuesday were more mature, that a more specific (a reference to the camera.). 16 December 1919, page 7.). endorsement would be given. Mr. Cope said https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 that since then nothing had been heard until The late return from the Stefansson 8093507 a fortnight ago. expedition prevented Wilkins hearing of the Meanwhile the expedition had made European war till about the end of 1916. 18 December 191 headway. Most of the officers had been He was in Australia early in 1917, and went selected, including Messrs. Joyce and at once to enlist in the flying call. He used RENDLE AND WILKINS Wilkins. Mr. Cope deeply resented the to relate with anger how after accepting him “THE TIMES” innuendo against his leadership, which he they turned him down as a pilot because he LONDON, Tuesday. — has had no opportunity of defending. was they said colour blind. Lieutenant Val. Rendle, the pilot of the Nevertheless he is determined to proceed. During the Ypres fighting of 1917, Blackburn-Kangaroo aeroplane, which is on He says that his arrangements are however, he got to France as official its way to Australia, cables from Crete: progressing splendidly. photographer with the Australian Imperial “The main oil pipe of the machine has been (Kalgoorlie Miner (WA), Wednesday 10 forces, succeeding Captain Hurley. Hurley broken, the connecting rods are broken, and March 1920, page 5). and Wilkins from the beginning and the crank-case holed, and the engine https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 Wilkins to the end (after Hurley had left the useless. A complete new one is necessary.” 3164820 Palestine), spent a good part of every day Captain Wilkins, friends are negotiating for months on the Hun side of Westhoek with Rolls-Royce, but it is expected that he 15 March 1920 Ridge, and those who were there will know will abandon the expedition. CAPTAIN WILKINS. what experience of German shellfire that A ROMANTIC STORY. meant. (Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), Thursday 18 On the Somme in 1918 Wilkins drove his December 1919, page 5.). Mr. F. M. Cutlack, writing in the “Sydney Morning Herald” says:— Captain G. H. car everywhere in the forward area. I have https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Wilkins, commanding the Blackburn- seen him cross fallen trees with it. His car 13132423 Kangaroo machine, which has just left was to be found waiting where no other cars ever ventured. He went out into No Man’s England is one of the most romantic Land frequently to take pictures of scenes 1920 characters of the war — and the war of Australian raids or larger attacks. brought out many of them. There are some During the 1918 advance he was several 10 March 1920 men who thrive on the excitement of danger, who seem not to know what fear is, times out in front of our infantry waiting for ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION the advance to be resumed, so that he could or to have a nerve in their system. Wilkins photograph it. His daring was rewarded London, March 2. is one of those. He does not mind whether it with the Military Cross and bar. Mr. Cope, in an interview with the is Polar exploration, or searching the jungle But he was never allowed to dare all that Australian Press, said he was greatly with a cinematograph, or photographing in he wanted. He always wanted the flying surprised at the refusal of the Geographical No Man’s Land, or aeroplaning anywhere Corps to supply him with a machine and a Society to support or countenance his on earth. pilot who would fly with him low over the Antarctic Expedition, particularly in view German lines, so that he might take of the society's letter in April, 1919, stating (Below) that its expedition committee approved of The resting place after the crash during the England- photographs of the Huns in their normal Australia Air Race. *OSU Polar Archives [32_8_16]. state. the general object of the expedition, but in After the war was over Wilkins was consumed with restlessness. He went to Gallipoli to photograph graves. Later he enjoyed a few delightful hours as a close and happy spectator of the Cairo riots. He returned to England intend on forming an expedition to the North Pole by aeroplane from some northern Arctic base. Friends of his anxious for his life persuaded him to accept the commission to come out to Australia to supervise the arranging of Australian war photographs for the national museum. Recent news indicates the mode of travel he has chosen. When this trip is over he is going to the Antarctic as a scientific leader with the Cope expedition. The Sydney Morning Herald, in (The Capricornian (Rockhampton) Saturday 13 December 1919 page 31.). https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 9778718

16 December 1919 BAD LANDING. KANGAROO DELAYED. London, Dec. 13. 15

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

His life has held enough adventure to and Wilkins from the beginning, and Australia and New Zealand for Dr. Cope’s satisfy any ordinary man; but, Wilkins will Wilkins to the end (after Hurley had left for expedition, He returns to London in pursue adventure to his dying day. If he had Palestine), spent a good deal of every day August. been a combatant during the last war he for months, on the Hun side of Westhock (Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), Saturday would have gone on winning the V.C. till Ridge, and those who were there will know 24 April 1920, page 5). he lost his life. what experience of German shellfire that https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 However, his is an altogether charmed meant. 27969668 life. We lived together in France for a year On the Somme in 1918 Wilkins drove his or more and on many a summer evening as car everywhere in the forward area. I have 29 September 1920 we sat outside out tent in the dark, while the seen him cross fallen trees with it. His car Huns droned over-head, Wilkin would was to be found waiting where no other car ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION COPES’ dilate on the delights of social life among ventured. He went out into No Man's Land EXPEDITION. the Eskimos. frequently to take pictures of scenes of Captain George Hubert Wilkins, M.C., That experience — belongs to the two or Australian raids or larger attacks. whose inclusion in Commander J. L. three years he spent with the Stefansson During the 1918 advance he was several Cope’s British Imperial Antarctic Expedition in the North Polar Seas. His age times out in front of our infantry, waiting Expedition was announced today, has been is somewhat between 30 and 40, and he for the advance to be resumed, so that he in Melbourne during the last few days stated his world-wide roaming with circus could photograph it. His daring was making preparations for his journey. show somewhere in South Australia. rewarded with the Military Cross and bar. He is a native of South Australia, 31 The rough life appealed to him, but But he was never allowed to dare all that years of age, and was educated in Adelaide. apparently the circus was very small beer, he wanted. He always wanted the Flying- After acting as special correspondent with for he soon persuaded a well-known Corps to supply him with a machine and a the Turkish forces in the Balkan war, 1912- cinematograph firm to set him loose on the pilot who would fly with him low over the 13, he joined Stefansson’s Arctic world, preferably wild parts of it, with a German lines, so that he might take Expedition, 1913-1917, as second-in- cinematograph camera and outfit. He did a photographs of the Huns in their nor-mal command of the northern party. lot of that work in Australia and America, state After the war was over Wilkins was He was official photographer with the and the hunting down of adventure with a consumed with restlessness. Australian forces during the war, and at its camera has become a craze with him. He went to Gallipoli to photograph conclusion set out on a flight from London He was attracted to the Balkan war of graves, and after that enjoyed a few to Australia in the Blackburn Kangaroo 1912, but it seems that experience was so delightful hours (as a close and happy machine, which crashed at Crete. eclipsed by his career during the late war spectator) of the Cairo riots. Captain Wilkins will occupy the position that it was not worth while talking about. He returned to England intent on forming of second-in-command of the Cope After the Balkan war he joined an expedition to the North Pole by expedition. He expects to leave Sydney for Stefansson’s Arctic Expedition as scientific aeroplane from some northern Arctic base. America next week, and will join leader — science meaning in his case the Friends of his, anxious for his life, Commander Cope at the Falkland Islands immortal cinematograph. The expedition's persuaded him to accept a commission to about December 20. About two years will object was the chartering and sounding of supervise the arranging of Australian war be spent in scientific observation and then the Polar Seas and for two or three years the photographs for the National Museum. Captain Wilkins hopes to take part in a dash party drifted about in the ice, or roamed the Recent news indicates the mode of travel he to the South Pole by aeroplanes specially wastes of it, under great hardship. has chosen. When the trip is over he is built for use in cold climates. There Wilkins learned a bit of navigation going, to the Antarctic as a scientific leader Discussing the possibility of flying to the as a hobby. He used to tell us of his journey with the Cope expedition Pole, Captain Wilkins said that he expected on foot of several hundred miles on sea ice, (Glen Innes Examiner (NSW), Monday 15 the attempt to be successful. “I came across how the expedition took a boat farther north March 1920, page 8). Australia on the trans-continental railway,” than any boat had even been before; how https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 he said, “and there are better landing places his cinema films were spoilt undeveloped 80818477 on the Arctic ices than I saw in my trip through the carelessness of the New York from Perth to Melbourne.” Post Office, and with a fond and lingering (Examiner (Launceston, Tas), Wednesday memory especially of Stefansson's stews. 29 September 1920, page 5). They never had any faddy tastes, said https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 Wilkins, about eating things separately at 1170882 meals. Stefansson had one large pot, and into this he would put everything together to cook — tea leaves, condensed milk, 30 September 1920 oatmeal, beans, vegetable ration, rice, jam, ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. a bit of greenhide (when they had jam, a bit CAPTAIN WILKINS’ VIEW. of greenhide (when they had same after you MELBOURNE, Wednesday. have eaten it, anyway, Wilkins used to say Captain George Hubert Wilkins, M.C., without a trace of a smile, “so what does it whose inclusion in Commander J. L. Cope's matter” The Eskimos called him Teeun- British Imperial Antarctic Expedition was Meeuk-Poeung (adopted by our camp as announced today, has been in Melbourne Tin-milk-chum), meaning he of the during the last few days making wonderful eye, a reference to the camera. preparations for his journey. The late return from the Stefansson He is a native of South Australia, 31 Expedition prevented Wilkins hearing of years of age, and was educated in Adelaide. the European war till about the end of 1916. After acting as special correspondent with He was in Australia early in 1917, and went the Turkish forces in the Balkan war, 1912- at once to enlist in the Flying Corps. He An advertisement in the (Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), 13, he joined Stefansson's Arctic used to relate with anger how, after Saturday 24 April 1920, page 5). Expedition, 1913-1917, as second in accepting him, they turned him down as a command of the northern party. pilot, because he was, they said, colour 24 April 1920 He was official photographer with the blind. ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. Australian forces during the war, and at its During the Ypres fighting in 1917, conclusion set out on a flight from London however, he got to France as official Captain Wilkins sails for Australia. to Australia in the Blackburn Kangaroo photographer with the Australian Imperial In May on the search for seven experts in machine, which crashed at Crete. Forces, succeeding Captain Hurley. Hurley biology, geology and meteorology in 16

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Captain Wilkins will occupy the position Cope’s Antarctic Expedition, is a native of expect to be able to continue their work of second in command of the Cope South Australia. He was born at Mount throughout the winter, as the farthest point expedition. He expects to leave Sydney for Bryan East, on October 31, 1888. south to which they will penetrate will America next week, and will join By profession an electrician, he went to never be in total darkness. Commander Cope at the Falkland Islands England in 1911 to improve his knowledge Sun (Sydney, NSW), Tuesday 5 October about December 20. About two years will in cinematography, and was among the 1920, page 7. be spent in scientific observation and then earliest aerial adventurers in that field, two https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Captain Wilkins hopes to take part in a dash of his pre-war flights having been made in a 22663619 to the South Pole by aeroplanes specially balloon and an aeroplane respectively to built for use in cold climates. photograph London. 6 October 1920 Discussing the possibility of flying to the He experienced an adventurous time as Pole, Captain Wilkins said that he expected newspaper correspondent and photographer OFF TO THE SOUTH POLE. the attempt to be successful. “I came across in 1912-13, when he was commissioned to Captain George Hubert Wilkins, M.C., of Australia on the trans-continental railway,” accompany the Turkish Army in those Adelaide, whose inclusion in Commander J. he said, “and there are better landing places capacities in the Balkan War. In the record L. Cope’s British Imperial Antarctic on the Arctic ices than I saw in my trip of this campaign in Adventures of War with Expedition […] is only 31 years of age. from Perth to Melbourne.” Cross and Crescent, Mr. Wilkins was He expects to leave Sydney for America (Examiner (Launceston Tas), Thursday 30 conspicuously mentioned by the authors, next week, and will join Commander Cope September 1920, page 5.). Mr. (now Sir) Philip Gibbs and Mr. Bernard at the Falkland Islands about December 20. About two years will be spent in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 Grant. Mr. Wilkins subsequently spent three scientific observation, and then Captain 1171004 years in the north polar regions as second- Wilkins hopes to take part in the dash to the in-command of the Stefansson Arctic South Pole by aeroplanes specially built for Expedition, and traversed 500 miles over use in cold climates. the ice on foot, with no trails, and nothing After acting as special correspondent but a pocket compass to give him his with the Turkish forces in the Balkan War, direction. 1912-13, Captain Wilkins joined The Stefansson Expedition, during 1915, Stefansson’s Arctic Expedition, 1913-1917, found new land of greater area than any as second in command of the northern party discovered since 1842. After a visit to This expedition discovered many new Australia, Capt. Wilkins joined the islands, mapped more than 2,000 miles of Australian Flying Corps, and his work in coastline, charted several harbours and met connection with the Great War earned him with several new tribes of the Eskimo not the Military Cross and bar. previously known to exist. Last year, with Lieut. V. Rendle, he He was official photographer with the essayed to fly from London to Australia, in Australian forces during the war, and at its a Kangaroo aeroplane; but misfortune conclusion set out on a flight from England dogged the aviators, and after months of to Australia in the Blackburn Kangaroo endeavour they were obliged finally to machine which crashed at Crete. abandon their project. Dr. John L. Cope, the Captain Wilkins will be second-in- leader of the expedition, accompanied the command of the Cope Shackleton expedition of 1914-17 as Expedition. surgeon and biologist to the Ross Sea party. Critic (Adelaide SA), Wednesday 6 He will sail in the Terra Nova, and October 1920, page 7. expects to be away for five years. He is https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 taking a complement of 51 men. Among the 12486897 objects of the expedition are the investigation of the migration and locations of whales, gold prospecting, the search for new articles of commerce, and the study of Antarctic meteorology. Captain G. H. Wilkins, M.C. and bar. (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Tuesday 5 October 1920, page 7). 2 October 1920 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 THE ANTARCTIC. 22663619 MR. COPE’S EXPEDITION STARTING. 5 October 1920 LONDON, September 28 ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION An advertisement from the Critic (Adelaide SA), The British Imperial Antarctic Expedition Captain Wilkins’s Movements Wednesday 6 October 1920, page 7. consisting of Dr. J. L. Cope, Capt. G. H. MELBOURNE, Tuesday. Wilkins, Mr. C. M. Lester, and Mr. T. W. Captain Wilkins, M.C., second-in- 8 October 1920 Bagshaw, left London for The Christiania command of the Cope South Polar COPE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION Islands, whence the party will start on a Expedition, is leaving Melbourne this preliminary trip to the Antarctic via the afternoon for Sydney. CAPTAIN WILKINS TELLS OF Falkland Islands and Deception Island to He expects to catch a steamer for PLANS. Hope Bay, in Graham Land. Here the Auckland on Thursday, and to leave New EXPLORERS TO LIVE ON FOOD travellers will establish a base and spend a Zealand on October 11 for Montevideo. FOUND LOCALLY. year exploring Weddel Sea and Deception Captain Wilkins said that he expected to Captain G. H. Wilkins, M.C., who will Island. They will then return to London and return to Australia from the preliminary arrange for a big expedition to occupy five expedition to the Antarctic in June, 1922. accompany Dr J. L. Cope’s Antarctic Expedition as second in command, expects years, during which specially prepared If the party bad not returned by that date to leave New Zealand on October 11 for aeroplanes will make a dash for the South it could be assumed that more important Monte Video, where he will join the Pole. work than was anticipated at present was remainder of the party. He visited Adelaide Capt. George Hubert Wilkins, M.C. and being done. The members of the expedition bar, who is mentioned as a member of Dr. 17

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day to bid farewell to his mother and to collect snow houses, the party hopes to make full Dr. Cope has already left England in the his kit for the expedition. use of the winter in its investigations. whale ship Thor, and expects to get to Captain Wilkins told a representative of They will be able to continue throughout Montevideo by the end of next month. the Melbourne Herald that he expected to the season, as the furthest point south to Captain Wilkins stated yesterday belt return to Australia from the preliminary which the expedition will penetrate will sailing that the exploring party would go expedition to the Antarctic continent in practically never be in total darkness. from Monto Video via the Falklands to June, 1922. If the party had not returned by For 10 days only in the depth of winter will Independence Island, which is the that date it would mean that more important it be necessary to carry lanterns. rendezvous of the international whaling work was being done than was expected at Captain Wilkins’s experience in the north companies’ boats. From Independence present. The party will travel to the should prove extremely useful in the Cope Island they proposed taking small steam Antarctic continent in a small whaling Expedition. He is one of the few men in the whaler and getting as far south as possible steamer from the Falkland Islands, which world who understand how to build a snow in Charcot Land. Here they proposed to will land the five members of the house, which will accommodate the party follow the coastline as close as possible, expedition in the neighbourhood of Charcot for a great part of the year. A house built and proceed in the direction of Ross Sea. Land. The steamer will then return to entirely of snow can be constructed in a few “All the way,” said Captain Wilkins, “we America, and will pick up the party again in hours, sufficiently large to accommodate will gather all the geological and biological 1922. seven persons. In reply to a sympathetic information we can, and will keep complete After December the party will be out of enquiry as to whether it would be a rather meteorological records of the tour. communication with the outside world until cold existence, Captain Wilkins said that a We expect to be in the Antarctic for at next February twelve months. snow house was really warmer than a tent. least year, and do not expect to reach Independence Island again until about —Seals as Food.— February, 1922. But should we meet any Very little food is being taken by the unexpected or unusual interesting party, and they will depend almost entirely phenomena we may remain another year in on the food of the Antarctic continent. the Antarctic, and not return until February This, said Captain Wilkins, would consist or March, 1923. principally of seals and penguins, while the diet would be varied occasionally by eggs, which could be gathered and preserved. The lack of variety in the menu will not trouble the explorers. The fewer dishes, according to Captain Wilkins, the more contented the party. For artificial heating special Eskimo lamps, constructed to burn seal oil, will be used. There were two food caches in the country which they would traverse, but it was not expected that they would have to make use of them. On this expedition the party expects to traverse the coastline of the Antarctic continent as far as King Edward VII Land, and will carry out as much geological, biological, and meteorological work as possible. When the present plans are fulfilled the party will return and prepare for the greater expedition to the South Pole, in connection with which six specially constructed aeroplanes will be used. Captain Wilkins is a native of South Australia. His father, who died some time ago, was the first white man born in South An advertisement from Recorder (Port Pirie, SA), Friday 8 Australia after it became a colony. October 1920, page 4. (Recorder (Port Pirie, SA), Friday 8 —Special Sleds Used— October 1920, page 4.). Captain Wilkins has had a great deal of https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 experience as a polar explorer and was with 5390901 a party in the northern regions when the war CAPTAIN G. H. WILKINS, M.C. broke out. He is practically the only 8 October 1920 A PRELIMINARY EXPEDITION. experienced member of Dr. Cope’s party, ANTARCTICA. “This expedition,” added Captain but from his knowledge of conditions Wilkins, “is only a preliminary to a larger CAPTAIN WILKINS DEPARTS. somewhat similar to those of Antarctica, one which will be organised by Dr. Cope and the thorough preparations made by the COPE EXPEDITION. and myself on our return to England, when party, he is looking forward confidently to Captain George H. Wilkins, M.C. and we hope to fit out two fairly large vessels the work being equal to the good results Bar, who is second-in-command of the for the Antarctic, and will also take with us obtained in Canada. Cope Antarctic Expedition, left Sydney six aeroplanes. The travelling party will also have two yesterday by the Maheno en route to join During the present tour I will be able to sleds, which have been specially prepared, his vessel at Montevideo. He will travel by get reliable data as to how best to fit out and can be used either on ice or water. train from Auckland to Wellington, and aeroplanes for Antarctic exploration. These sleds are constructed from a special then by boat to San Francisco. The topographical peculiarities of the design by Captain Wilkins. From there he will travel by train to New Antarctic in the neighbourhood of Charcot Contrary to the usual methods adopted by Orleans, and will go from there to Land and King Edward Island will be polar explorers, the Cope party will carry Valparaiso by boat. He will cross the Andes closely and carefully studied during the on most of its work in the winter months, by rail to Buenos Aires, and go from there present trip. We will also establish when fur clothing will be utilised. to Montevideo, which he expects to reach meteorological stations, and also put down Captain Wilkins says that with their about the end of November. wireless plant so that we will be able to get intelligent use of dogs, fur clothing, and 18

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day into direct touch with South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The meteorological information which we hope to be able to send to these countries, and especially to Australia, will be of great assistance in the development of the pastoral and agricultural industries. “When travelling on land we will,” said Captain Wilkins, “use dogs, and will make use of a series of snow houses which were erected on the previous trip, and which I expect to find intact, and also the reserve Photo from the Balkans War. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_1b]. supplies of food which were left there. I may say I was the first man to put up domed snow houses in the Arctic. I have now considerable experience in their construction, and hope to make a complete chain of them in the Antarctic in readiness for our next and more serious undertaking. During the greater part of the three years I was with Stefansson’s Canadian Arctic Expedition we lived all right on the food of the country, and I believe this is equally possible in the Antarctic. If this should be so it will save the carriage over the ice floes of enormous quantities of tinned food. “But, in any event, the expedition is well Photo taken during a trip to the West Indies. *OSU Polar supplied with everything that is necessary, Archives [wilkins32_2t]. and before I left London the ship was fitted with the latest and most necessary scientific An advertisement from the (World (Hobart, Tas.), information [equipment?] to collect all the Thursday 14 October 1920, page 3.). geological, geographical, biological, meteorological, and other data, which we He is a native of South Australia, 31 believe will be of the utmost importance in years of age, and was educated in Adelaide. the field of scientific knowledge. After acting as special correspondent with In any event we will do our utmost to the Turkish forces in the Balkan war, 1912- make the expedition a success, and we are 13, he joined Stefansson’s Arctic confident it will, unless something Expedition, 1913-17, as second in unforeseen occurs.” command of the northern party. (Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Friday 8 This expedition discovered many new October 1920, page 8). islands, mapped more than 2000 miles of https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 coastline charted several harbors, and met 8088618 with several new tribes of Eskimo not previously known to exist. He was official photographer with the Australian forces during the war, and at its conclusion set out on a flight from London to Australia in the Blackburn Kangaroo machine which crashed at Crete. Captain Wilkins will occupy the position A photo taken during the Canadian Arctic Expedition of second in command of the Cope 1913-16. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_4_38].

expedition. He expects to leave Sydney for America next week, and will join Commander Cope at the Falkland Islands about December 20. About two years will be spent in scientific observation, and then Captain Wilkins hopes to take part in a dash to the South Pole by aeroplanes specially built for use in cold climates. These are at present being tested in Norway, and the attempt has been made to suit the engine to the An advertisement from the World (Hobart, Tas.), Thursday excessive cold by enclosing the complete 14 October 1920, page 3. power unit in a vacuum jacket with variable radiation. 14 October 1920 Discussing the possibility of flying to the FLIGHT TO SOUTH POLE. Pole, Captain Wilkins said that he expected the attempt to be successful. “I came across CAPTAIN WILKINS’ PLANS. Australia on the transcontinental railway,” Captain George Hubert Wilkins, M.C., he said, “and there are more good landing whose inclusion in Commander J. L. places on the Arctic ice than I saw in my Cope’s British Imperial Antarctic trip from Perth to Melbourne.” Expedition was announced recently, has (World (Hobart, Tas.), Thursday 14 October been in Melbourne during the last few days 1920, page 3.). The crew of the Blackburn Kangaroo — Captain George making preparations for his journey, says Wilkins, M.C. and bar, Lieut. V. Rendle, Lieutenant D. R. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Williams, Lieutenant G. H. Potts. Photo from theChronicle the “Australasian.” 87546466 (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 10 January 1920, page 24.). 19

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

A photo taken during World War 1, 1917-19. * OSU Polar Archives [wilkins32_7_1]. A photo taken during the England to Australia Air Race, 1919. * OSU Polar Archives. [wilkins32_8_20].

A photo taken during World War 1, 1917-19. * OSU Polar Archives. [wilkins52_1_10].

A photo taken during World War 1, 1917-19. *OSU Polar Archives [wilkins52_1_49].

An early armored vehicle in WW1. *OSU polar Archives. [wilkins52_1_14].

A photo taken during World War 1, 1917-19. * OSU Polar Archives. [wilkins52_1_8].

A photo taken during World War 1, 1917-19.* OSU Polar Archives. [wilkins52_1_35].

A muddy trench, World War 1, 1917-19.* OSU Polar Archives. [wilkins52_2_38].

Inspecting graves during World War I, 1917-18 * OSU

Polar Archives. [wilkins52_2_25]

A photo taken during World War 1, 1917-19. * OSU Polar Archives. [wilkins52_1_24].

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